Smoldering debris and clouds of thick smoke polluted the area, it took a while but the last remnant of flames slowly flickered out. Not much was left in the area, if it weren’t for the few remaining structures, there was no way anyone would be able to see that this was once a village, albeit a small one but one which was filled with people.

The young Tina could only aimlessly gaze out at the place she once called home. She wanted to cry, she wanted to scream, she was confused even hopeful that it was all a dream, yet in the end, all she could express was a face of absolute disbelief after everything she had gone through.

Meanwhile, Kayla’s voice could be heard as she gave an earful to her ever so careless friend. “You know, you can only be so bloody foolish!”

Marilyn gave out a strained laugh as she took her friends lecturing.

“If it weren’t for Dante and Lacey, you could have gotten yourself killed!” Kayla continued to yell at her.

“I do feel bad about it, really,” Marilyn said.

“It’s not about feeling bad!” She shouted, “Do you know how’d we feel if we’d lost yo-!” Kayla stopped before she could finish. Marilyn’s eyes rounded as she heard her words. It wasn’t just Marilyn though, even Lacey as well as Dante who was busy treating her injuries glanced as they heard the conversation.

“P-please don’t yell…” Tina said. Kayla’s loud voice had snapped her out of her trance as she approached the two girls, “My mamma said… it’s not good to fight each other…” streams poured from the young girl’s eyes as she spoke.

“I-It’s not like…wh-what I mean t-to say is-!” Kayla fumbled her words as she tried to speak.

“No, it’s alright Tina, Kayla’s just worried about me,” Marilyn spoke up as the flustered Kayla failed to give a proper response, “Kayla, I’m truly sorry,” she then turned to the others as she spoke, “Dante, Lacey, thank you. You two really saved me back there and I’m sorry for putting you through all that.”-She beamed a smile-“See we’re all friends, so you don’t need to worry, everything will be just fine,” Marilyn embraced Tina as she responded and the little girl let out her tears while the others couldn’t help but gaze at the two.

 

---

 

“So, she said she was a black knight working with this ‘Madame’ woman to bring a new age to Arthrain?” Kayla asked as she heard the story of what happened in the village. All the while the young Tina sobbed quietly in Marilyn’s lap while she finished cast her healing spell on Lacey.

“Not only that, but she also had magical equipment and quite formidable combat skills as well,” Lacey said as she remembered how futile her attacks were against the black knight.

“Neither of you could have beaten her? That doesn’t bode well for us…” Kayla replied.

“Honestly, it was more of a shock that something actually hurt me, that sword especially was something else,” Dante said as Marilyn cast her healing spell on him next.

“That wasn’t just any sword, if what she said is to be believed, that was the Darcalon,” Marilyn finally spoke as the magic circle she summoned radiated brighter green light upon Dante. Since it was a mid-tier healing spell it didn’t take long for Dante to feel its effects though, which was good as she couldn’t use these spells for long.

“The Dracalon? Impossible!” Kayla turned to and said as she heard the swords name.

“Is it really such a big deal?” Dante asked.

“It is… the Dracalon was said to be a magical sword originally made by one of the three Goddesses to slay an evil dragon that was devastating Arthrain in the old ages. Though when it was finally slain its evil soul was still a threat so it was sealed within the Dracalon, thus it became a cursed sword and hidden from the world for everyone’s safety,” Marilyn told Dante.

If all that is true, then I can kind of understand why it could hurt me. Dante thought to himself as he heard the explanation.

“There are just too many questions surrounding this whole thing,” Kayla voiced out.

“Indeed, not to mention how is Moyra involved in all this…”

“I wish I had more answer, but the vision only showed so much, and with the bracelet gone I have no way of tracking Moyra now,” Marilyn lowered her brows as she spoke, while she softly stroked Tina’s head.

“For now, we should scout out the area, see if we find any answers,” Dante told the others, “we should also prepare ourselves just in case that black knight returns for a fight.”

Everyone glanced and each other and with a nod, they all agreed with Dante’s words. However, this situation was far more complex and sinister than they could begin ever imagine.

 

---

 

The day finally began to meet its end, most of it was spent looking around for clues by some, but not much could be found in the burnt-up village, while others decided to prepare for another attack just to be safe. One such person was Dante. He was busy inspecting his jeep, unbeknownst to him though, a certain someone laid their blue eyes on him from afar.

It really isn’t going away… this feeling. Lacey touched her modest chest as she continued to stare at him. She thought these strange feelings were because of the fight early, but even now while everything was peaceful, they still burned inside her. In fact, the more she focused on Dante, the more intense those feelings became.

“Shit, I really worked up a sweat,” Dante said as he looked at his grey tank top. It had large darken areas that coldly clung to his skin. It wasn’t abnormal for Dante to go shirtless after working so hard, but he was so occupied by his jeep he didn’t realize the numerous attention his chiseled body was getting him.

Lacey’s eyes locked onto him, and it wasn’t long before that burning heat in her chest spread to other areas. However, she wasn’t the only one. Kayla who had returned from scouting out the village’s charred remains was greeted by the same sight. Truth be told, it was a greeting she couldn’t help but take pleasure in. Though she’d never admit it, especially to herself.

Wh-what is he doing! She shouted internal as her gaze fixed onto him. Are men just large brutes who enjoy taking their clothes off?! Or is he doing that on purpose?! She continued to gaze as memories began to surface in her mind. Showing off those damn muscles…those big…firm, Ah! What am I thinking, I should stop. Besides he’s sweaty so I’m sure… As she thought that, the memory of her grabbing onto him back at the river entered her mind. He was a little sweaty back then, the smell was a bit strong, but Kayla didn’t mind it. In a way it was intoxicating.  He’s giving that smell… right no-! Kayla shook flustered face, as she condemned all these thoughts to the bottom pits of her mind. What’s wrong with me? It’s all his faul-! Marilyn suddenly appeared with a canteen in hand.

“Here I thought you could use this,” She said. Dante definitely worked up a thirst so without hesitation he took the canteen and gave a quick thanks to her. While he replenished his water levels, Marilyn trailed her silver eyes down the glistening bare muscles before her. She couldn’t help but bite her lips, as she remembered how his hot sweaty body felt the night they first mated.  Along with those thoughts came the sensual feelings she experienced that night. Those feelings she had been repressing because of the others, finally began to resurface again.

“Dante?” she called his name as she looked at him with upturned eyes. Dante was so busy quenching his thirst he didn’t realize the burning desire in the eyes before him. “Do you think we could…maybe,” she leaned in close, resting her hand on that wet warm body of his as she whispered out her final words, “mate again soon?” Dante coughed out as he heard her words. “Ah! Are you alright?” Marilyn asked as Dante continued to cough out the water in his lungs.

What was that about? Kayla had an uncomfortable feeling as she watched the two, but she wasn’t the only one.

Why was she so close to him? Lacey also looked at the two as she thought that.

 

---

 

“Bloody hell! we forgot to get firewood,” Kayla cursed out as the rising darkness reminded her of night’s approach.

“We also need to finish making up camp,” Lacey said.

“We can’t leave Tina alone too,” Marilyn interjected.

“It’s fine I can go get some, the rest of yo-” Dante said, however…

“I’ll go too,” Kayla and Lacey voiced at the same time.

“Lacey, don’t you think you should be taking it easy,” Kayla strained a smile as she spoke.

“No no, a little exercise would be good to help get over the pain, besides weren’t you not well earlier? You should rest just in case you have a resurgence.” Lacey replied and though she was physically smiling her eyes were quite intense.

“I could always go alone, so you tw-”

“No!”

“Absolutely Not!” they both rejected his words.

“I scouted the area a bit so it’ll be good to have me,” Kayla told him.

“Even with my little injuries, I’m the best fighter among us! Besides night always brings out the leechflies and duskcrawlers.” As Kayla heard Lacey’s words she froze in place. “With how widespread the fire was, I wouldn’t be surprised if they and other buggers came swarming out.” Lacey gave her a smirk as she spoke.

“Swarming…bugs?!” while Kayla was determined at first, she was all but defeated by what Lacey said. “F-fine, I’ll stay.”

“Then it’s settled, Marilyn watch Tina and help Kayla set up camp,” she turned to Dante as she spoke, “shall we?”

“Ah…right, let’s go.” Dante was a little surprised as she grabbed his hand, but never the less they went off in search of firewood.

“Tsk, that small boobed witch!” Kayla cursed out as she saw the two off.

“Are, you that upset that she gets to go with him?” Marilyn asked.

“What of c-course not!” she immediately objected, “It’s just, you know…” despite her words, Kayla couldn’t find any other reason as to why she was upset, “anyway it’s not like that!” Kayla shouted as she stormed off. Marilyn couldn’t help but giggle to herself. Honestly, she also wanted to go with Dante, so they could get some alone time. However, after what she just saw, Marilyn had a certain thought.

This might be a good opportunity to help Kayla for once and strengthen our group’s bonds. Marilyn thought to herself as she began thinking up a plan for the coming night.